Dual pinwheel feed



.2 Sheets-Sheet l original Filed Jun 26, 1935 ATTORNEYS VMay4,l 1943A.

J. Q, SHERMAN ErAL l v VDUAL PIN-WHEEL, FEED' 1 .v original FiledJune2e, 19:55`

2 shuts-sheet' 2 Patented May 4, -1943 John Q. Sherman and Albert W.Metaller, Dayton, Ohio, said Metmer assigner to said Sherman; KatherineM: Sherman, WillianrC. Sherman, and Wellmore B. Turnenyexeeutors of saidJohn Q, Sherman, deceased Application June 26,1935, serial No. 28,480

Renewed February 21, 1939 `s claims. (ci. 1er-12s) This inventionrelates to an attachment for writing and computing machines, and moreparticularly to a differential feeding apparatus for positively feedingsuperposed record sheets ofa manifolding assembly past a writingposition at different rates of speed. Y* The present apparatus isespecially adapted for feeding through a writing machine, checks,statements, utility bills, such as gas and electric light bills, andother analogous record forms of prescribed length, and advancing'therewith an accompanying ledger, tally, or other condensed recordsheet to receive thereon duplicate inscriptions in line spaced relation.

The check, statement, or bill forms are provided in series connectedcontinuity and are separable on transverse weakened division lines intoindividual forms.- The accompanying record material is also preferablyofcontinuous strip form which may or may not be transversely scored orperforated for division into successive sheets. The series connectedseparable forms and the accompanying'v duplicate record material may beof the same or of different width.

- Pin type feeding means is provided for positively advancing the formsand record material at different rates of speed past the writing posii ition, whereby the forms may be advanced a full form length at eachoperation, while t'ne accompanying record material is advanced throughsuccessive line space distances only. The more rapid moving material maybe disposed either on top or beneath the more slowly advanced strip, andlikewise either the overlying or underlying material may be of greateror less width than the accompanylng material.

These capabilities for varianly arranging the wide and narrow and thefast and slow movingk materials accordingfto specific requirements isquite desirable and agreat convenience in enabling the adaptation of theapparatus to different conditions of commercial usage. The feedingoperation of the respective materials may be effected simultaneously bycommon actuating means, or they may be advanced separately andindepeendently of each other by individual motion transmitting means.

The object of the invention is to improve the construction as well asthe means and mode of operation of differential feeding mechanism forwriting and computing machines whereby such apparatus may not only beeconomically manufactured but will be more eiicient in use, more rapidand accurate in operation. positive and relative rates of speed, andtoprovide means whereby the feeding action pertaining to one strip ofmaterial will not interfere with nor in any way affect the feeding ofthe accompanying strip of material beingadvanced at a different rate ofspeed.

A further and important object of the invention 'is to provide means foradvancing the respective f strips of material in accurately timedrelation so that one strip oi' material will not creep upon 'the otherand so cause the writing areas of the yrespective materials to beshifted out of registering relation although the respective materialsare advanced through different distances at each operation.` y

A further object is vto provide an apparatus which will be simple inconstruction .and of com? pactform having relatively few operatingparts.

- A further object of the invention is to provide such dual feedingmechanism which will be al)-y plicable to conventional styles of writingand computing machines now in common use. f

A further object of the invention is to provide dual feeding devices forindependently advancing different strips of record material past awriting position which may be operated in unison or separately at thewill of the operator.

A further object of the invention is to provide dual feeding devicesoperable at different rates specification, the invention consists of thef ea.

of speed to present predetermined differently spaced areas of differentstrips in registry atthe writing position at the end ofl definiterelative travel movements of the strips.

With theabove primary and other incidental objects in view, as will morefully appear in the tures of construction, the parts and combinationsthereof, and the mode of operation, or their equivlents, as hereinafterdescribed and set' forth f in the claims.

. Referring to the accompanying drawings Y wherein is shown thepreferred butobviously 'not l necessarily the only form of embodimentofthe invention, Fig. 1y is a perspective view ofA the..Y c platencarriage of a conventional formI of writing -f machine, to which lthepresent invention has bee applied.

Fig. 2 is a detail perspective view, illustrating superposed recordstrips having alignedl side margins arranged to be separately advancedat differeasily operated, and unlikely .wherein the inner or underlyingstrip maybe caused to travel more rapidly than the overlying material.

Fig. 6 is a detail view of a frictional driving '2,318,020 ent vrates ofspeed by the herein described dual be-caused to be projected beyond theperiphery of the roll at di'erent circumferential positions, in one ofwhich the pins may operatively engage in the feeding holes 9 of thematerial,

-while in another position of adjustment the pins will be projected idlyin a non-feeding position. Thus any `pin wheel units located in theplaten roll 2 intermediate the punched margins of overlying recordmaterial may be rendered inconnection for the retrieving rollerillustrated in Fig. 4.

' Fig. '7 is a detail sectional view of the retract- Like parts areindicated by similar characters of reference throughout the severalviews.

Referring to the accompanying drawings,v I is the traveling platencarriage of a writing machine in which is mounted the rotary platenroll- 2 adapted to be rotated through successive partial rotations bythe usual line spacing mechanism 3 actuated by a manually operatedspacer lever 4. 'Ihe carriage is provided with the usual paper guide 5for directing the incoming record material-supply, indicated at 6, tothe platen roll 2 about which it passes coincident with the writingposition to receive' the imprinted inscription thereon.

The platen roll 2 is provided at spaced intervals throughout its lengthwith pin type record material feeding units 1 1-, having disappearingfeeding pins I0 which reciprocate radially relative to the platen rollinto and out of feeding engagement inl marginally punched feed holes 9in the record material strips. l

'I'he pin wheel feeding units 1 formthe subject matter ofand are fullyset forth and described in Letters Patent Nos. 2,000,649; 2,000651, andNo. 2,000,650, dated May 7th, 1935, and the platen roll assembly,including such relatively spaced pin wheel units and means for renderingthem independently effective and ineffective at will, forms the subjectmatter of and is fully described in Letters Patent No. 2,000,650, datedMay 7th, 1935. i

Such pin wheel units may be briefly described as comprising discs havingtherein radial guide bores in which are positioned reciprocatory feedingpins III. The feeding pins I0 are provided with lateral notches Il whichengage over the marginal flange of an eccentric cam I2 which is normallystationarily positioned within the' effective and inoperative by sovadjusting the control cam vI2 thereof that.- the pins l0 will not beprojected against the overlying record material while other pin wheelunits positioned coincident with the punched margins of the recordmaterial are rendered eective for feeding engagement therewith byotherwise adjusting their control cams I2 to project the feeding pins atthe desired circumferential position.

Such description of the pin type feeding units is here made forconvenience of explanation and to enable a' better understanding of thepresent apparatus. Itis to be understood, however, that such pin typeunit forms no part per se of the present invention but comprises thesubject matter of other Letters Patents heretofore identified.

Located in suitable standards I3, projecting upwardly from the 'writingmachine carriage I and positioned in elevated relation above the platenroll 2, is a rotary counter shaft I4 which maybe interconnected with theplaten roll shaft for unison rotation but at different rates of speedstw intermediate, gearing, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, or which may berotated manually independently of the platen roll 2 by means of knobs I5upon the extremities of the countershaft I4. i

The .countershaft I4 carries thereon pin wheel 'units I 6 axiallyadjustable along said shaft .toward and from each other to enable themto accommodate marginally punched record material of different widths.While only a single pair of such pin wheel units I6 has been shown inthe drawings, it will be understood that either more or less suchfeeding units may be employed as will best meet operating conditions.

In order to support the record material medially between its lines ofmarginal engagement with the pin type feeding units I6, a plurality ofidler discs I1 are adjustably mounted upon the to those of the pin wheelunits in spaced relation with which the discs are mounted upon the shaftI4. In the event that the shaft I4 and pin wheel feeding devices carriedthereby are to be manually operated independently of the line spacingmechanism-of .the platen roll, the shaft I4 is provided with a starwheel or notched disc I 8 with which a suitable spring pressed de'tentengages in the usual manner toyieldingly hold the shaft and pin wheeldevices in their operative position of rotary adjustment.

However, in lieu of independent manual rotation. the shaft I4 may beautomatically rotated in timed relation with the platen 2 by means of anintermediate gear wheel I9 meshing with a driving gear 20 mounted uponthe sh'aft of the be rotatively adjusted and thereupon held in theiradjusted positions. By such adjustment of platen roll 2 and in turnmeshing with a driven gear 2| upon the rotary shaft I4. Thisintermediate i-ransmission gear may be mounted upon a swinging arm 22,shown by dotted lines in Fig. 4, by swinging adjustment of which thegear may be moved into and out of intermeshing relathe cams I2rotatively, the feeding pins I! may 475 tion with the respective drivingand drivenvgears 20 ccd2 I, thereby enabling the shaft I4 andthe pinwheel feeding devices carried thereby to be actuated eitherautomatically in unison with the adjustment of the platen roll 2. or byseparate.

manual adjustment independently fo the platen roll. Also, by suitablyproportloning the gear train I9, 20 andl 2i, the shaft I4 and pin wheeldevices I6 carried thereby may be driven at an increased rate of speedrelative to that of the platen roll, as is illustrated in Fig. 4, or theshaft.

I4 and pin wheel devices carried thereby may be actuated at a reducedrate of speed. as illustrated in Fig. 5.

The superposed marginally punched strips of record material comprisingthe manifolding assembly are collectively advanced over the paper guide5 at the rear of the apparatus and thence beneath the platen roll 2 pastthe writing position where the imprinted inscription is reproduced uponone or more underlying record strips by interposed carbon transfermaterial. Beyond the writing position, the paths of travel of differentrecord strips of the manifolding assembly diverge.

The overlying strip or strips, which may be either those of greater orthose of lesser width, are directed upwardly into feeding engagementwith the pin wheel units I6 carried bythe shaft I4 while the remainderof the manifolding assembly is directed rearwardly at 24 over the-top ofthe platen roll 2 and thence from the machine;`

Such duplicate record strip may, if desired, be wound upon a receivingroll 25' at the rear of the apparatus, as shown in Fig. 4.A Suchretrieving roll 25 is rotated in unison with the platen roll by anintermediate gear train 26, the nal gear pinion of which is connectedwitha friction roller 21 having driving engagement with a grooved roll28 upon the shaft of the retrieving' the cams I2,`controlling the pinwheel units of f the platen roll 2 operatively engaging the underlyingstrip, may be set to project the pins into feeding engagementsubstantially at the writing line. Likewise, the feeding pins I0 oftheupper set of pin wheel I6 are caused to be projected within theforward arc of such units. However, if the overlying strip of recordmaterial extends coincident with or beyond the position of theoperatively engaged pin wheel units feedingthe underlyingstrip orstrips, the control cams I2 of the latter are adjusted to project thefeeding pins IQ into engagement with such underlying record strip orstrips through an upper segment of the platen roll and` beyond the pointat which the paths' of travel of the over and underlying stripsdiverge.V Thus the feeding pins I0, having operative engagement with thevunderlying record strip or strips, will emerge from the pin wheel units1 into operative feeding engage-A Y by the elevated pin wheelsIS.A Y

If the overlying record strip, en

` gaging a transverse rod 34 to hold the cams vI2 A Such independentfeeding engagement of the respective pin wheel units 1 and Itwith theunder and overlying record strips and operating in the same plane ofrotation is clearly illustrated in Fig. 2. Likewise, if the overlyingrecord ma-v terial extends beyond theoperatively engaged pin wheel umts1 of the platen roll, as illustrated at the left of Fig. 1, the controlcam I2 of .such underlying pin unit is adjusted to project the pins ator near-the top of the platen roll beyond the path of travel of theoverlying material.

The overlying material is held in operative relation with the feedingpin wheel units I6 by .slotted paper guides 30 adjustably mounted upongroup of pin wheel units 1 being engageable. with the underlying stripor strips throughout a top segment of the platen rollbeyond -the pointof separation of the paths of -travel of the over and underlyingmaterials, the respective groups of feeding devices may be operated atdifferent rates of speed to advance one strip of material relative tothe other without interference or conilict since there is no frictionalresistance or pres-l sure device imposed upon the material beneath theplaten roll as is customary.

While the feeding pins I0 of the units 1 embodied in the platen ro11r2are necessarily reciprocatory, whereby they emerge into engagement withthe Vmaterial through only a very limited arc ofthe platen roll, and arewithdrawn within the periphery ofthe roll throughout the majorlportionof their paths of travel, the feeding pins I0 o fthe pin wheel units I6may be either fixed in the carrying discs as'illustrated in Fig. l, orthey mayalso be of the disappearing type illus-v trated in Fig. 'I andother views.

Such reciprocatory or disappearing feed pr'n construction is shown inFig. 3 wherein the pin carrying discs are secured in any position ofaxial adjustment by set screws I6' engaging in a key way in the shaft I4and the hubs of the pin control cams I2 are provided with arms 33 enintheir proper positions of rotative adjustment. The intermediatesupporting discs are also secured in their adjusted positions by setscrews I1 engaging the key way of the shaft I4. The

, pin wheel units and supporting discs may be adjusted along the shaftI4 tovarious positions in the terminal screws 36 are being tightened.The

stop'arm 35 thus prevents the paper guides 30 from beingforced against'the pin wheel units 7 .while tighteningthe screws. Suicient clearanceis insured to afford a loose free relation of the marginally punchedmaterial upon the feeding" pins. lfrom which their escape is preventedby ted guides 30.

' while in Figsni ands the 'respective strip feedi. I

ingI devices are shown as being actuated in unison at YVdiii'erentratesof speed by desired, the interconnecting gear train may -be entirelyomitted as in Fig. 1 wherein the shaft I4 and pin wheel feeding unitscarried thereby are rotated manually by rotation of the terrriiforseparate and independent operation of the secondary feeding devices I 6is found quite advantageous.

From theabove description it will be apparent Vthat there is thusprovided a device of the character described possessing the particularfeatures of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but whichobviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportions,detail construction and arrangements of parts without departing from theprinciple involved or sacrificingany of its advantages.

While in order to comply with the statute, the invention has beendescribed in language morev or less speciiic as to structural features,it is to be understoodthat the invention is not limited to the specicfeatures shown, -but that the means and construction herein disclosedcomprise the preferred form of several modes of putting the inventioninto effect, and the invention is therefore claimed in any of its formsor modiiications within the legitimate and valid scopeof the appendedclaims.

Having thus described our invention, we claim:

1. In a conventional typewriting machine or the like, dual pin typefeeding devices progressively engageable in longitudinally spaced holesin different strips of material, the pins of the devices carried by oneof the feeding-devices being arranged to engage the longitudinallyspaced holes in one only of the strips of material and the pins of theother of the: feeding devices being arranged to engage thelongitudinally spaced holes in another only o f the strips of materialfor independentlyv advancing separate stripsof series connected formspast a writing position, means for actuating thefeeding devices atdifferent speeds whereby said pin type devices serve 'to limit theadvancement `of one strip relative to the other to apredeterminedratio,'thereby insuring that predetermined areas of the respectivestrips will be simultaneously presented in registry at the writingposition, a guide extending from the writing position to the pinlfeedingdevice for guiding the record material, and actu-I ating means foroperating the feeding devices simultaneously.

2. In a conventional typewriting machine or the like,..dual pin typefeeding devices progressively engageable in longitudinally.spaced holesin different strips of material, the pins of the devices carried by oneof the feeding devices being arranged -to engage the Vlongitudinallyspaced holes in one only of the. strips of material and theV pins of the`other of the feeding devices -being arrangedY to engage theylongitudinally spaced holesin another only of the strips of materialfor independently advancing separate diate gear train,'it is to heunderstood-that, if-

continuous strips of record material past a writing position, v,meansfor actuating the feeding devices at different speeds whereby said pintype feeding devices serve to limit the advancement of one striprelative to the other to a predetermined ratio, thereby insuring, thatgiven areas of the respective strips shall be -simultaneously presentedin registry with each other at the Writing position, interconnectingmotion transmitting means by which the respective feeding devices areoperatively connected for simultaneous operation, said interconnectingmeans being capable of being rendered inoperative at the will of theoperator whereby either feeding device may be operated independently ofthe other, and record material guiding .means extending from one of thefeeding devices to the other for guiding the record material.

3. In a conventional typewriting machine 'or the like, a plurality ofpin type feeding and aligning devices engageable in marginally punchedholes .in different superposed strips of record material forindependently advancing the strips through substantially coincidentpaths of travel past a writing position and actuating means therefor bywhich one of said pin type feeding and aligning devices is caused tofeed one or more record strips at a speed faster than the strip orstrips being advancedby the other of said feeding and aligning devices,means for guiding the record material from writing position to each ofthe pin type feeding devices, and means Yfor synchronizing the action ofthe respective feeding devices to .bring designated areas of therespective strips' of record material into registry with each other atthe end of definite relative travel movements of the strips.

4. In a Writing machine, a plurality of strip Y feeding and aligningdevices for independently some of the strips to the exclusion of othersfor advancing superposed strips of record material of diiferent widthsat diiierent rates of'speed past a writing position, actuating meansoperating the feeding and aligning means in synchronism wherebydesignated areas of the respective strips will be simultaneouslypresented in registry with each other at the writing position, means forguiding the strips from the writing position to their respective stripfeeding sue divergent pathsof travel, including a platen roller aboutwhich the strips are advanced past the writing position, a group offeeding pins carried by the platen roller and engageable with positivelyadvancing the engaged strip past the writing position, a second feedingdevice engageable with said other strip or strips for advancing suchother strip past the writing position 'to the exclusion of the firstmentioned strip, means for actuating 'the platen and the second feedingdevice, and guide means for guiding said other strip from the writingposition to the feeding device, said guide means including a memberextending parallel to the platen supporting a pair of guide membersextending from the writing position guiding said other strip to itsfeeding in superposed strips of record material-are advanced throughcoincident paths of travel past the writing position beyond which thestrips pursue divergent pathsof travel, including a platen roller laboutwhich -the strips are .advanced past the writing position, a group-offeeding pins car ried by the platen roller and engageabie with one oi"the strips to theexclusionof the other for positively advancingtheengaged strip past the writing position, a second group offeeding pinsonset with respect to the platen engageable with such -other strip forpositively advancing such other strip past' the writing position to theexs? clusion of the rst mentioned strip, means for actuating at leastone of said feeding devices, and guide means for guiding said otherstrip from the writing position to the second group of feeding pins,said guide means including a rod Y extending parallel tothe platensupporting guide members extending from the writing. position to saidsecond group of feeding pins.

' 7. In a ty'pewriting machine or the like wheresecond group of feedingpins -to advance said other strip past vvriting position. 8. In atypewriting machine or the like. wherein superposed strips of recordmaterial are advanced through'coincident paths of travel past in'superposed strips of record material advanoed through coincident pathsof travel past the writing-position beyond which the strips pursuedivergent paths of travel, including a platen roller about which thestrips are advanced past the writingposition.- a group` of feeding pins.carried by the lplaten roller and engageahleV Vwith one o f the stripsto the exclusion of the other for positively advancing the engaged strippast thewriting position. a second group of feedexclusion of the firstmentioned strip, guide discs ing-pins arranged in pairs and adiustablymount- Y ed relatively to each other. engageable with such the writingposition ybeyondwl'iich-the strips pursue divergent paths of travel,including a .platen roller about which thevstrips are advanced past thewriting position, a group of feedingY pins carried by the platen rollerand ,engage'able with one of the strips to the exclusion of the otherfor positively advancingl the engaged strip past the writing position, asecond group of feeding pin devices including at least a pair o fpinwheels `mounted for axial adjustment 'engaeable with strips oi' variouswidths for positively advancing said strips Spast the 'writing positionto the disposed intermediate the feeding wheels for l,supporting therecord material, and guide means engaging the side of the stripsopposite said discs for guiding' the strips' from the writing positionto said pin wheel.

JOHN Q. SHERMAN.

ALBERT W. METZNER.'

